Dispensing apparatus



t. 20, g. F, s,V BARKS ET AL 2,057,874

DISPENS ING APPARATUS q Filed June 17, 1955 4 sheets-sheet 1 Get. 20, i936. F. s. BARKS ET AL DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 17, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @CL 20, 1936. F. s. BARKS ET AL DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 17, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Irl HI I llll l Oct 20, w36. F. s. BARKs ET Al.

DISPENSING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Shea?l 4 Filed June 17, 1935 FIG. l.

V STATES PATENT OFFICE DI SPENSIN G Frank S. Barks, St. Lolli University City,

neering Company, of Missouri o., assignors St. Louis,

APPARATUS s, and Alexander P. Fox,

to Lincoln Engi- Mo., a. corporation Application June 17, 1935, Serial No. 26,996 11 Claims. (Cl. 221-47.5)

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus, and With regard to certain more specific features, to tamper-proof, lubricant-dispensing apparatus.

Among the several objects of the invention mayA be noted the provision of a container for the wholesale distribution of lubricant which shall be non-rellable by the retailer and which may be rellable by the wholesaler; the provision of apparatus of the class described which provides for lling from the wholesale container certain ing apparatus for taking lubricant from the Wholesale container and efficiently delivering it to said retail container; the provision of transfer apparatus which is operable only with the wholesale and retail containers above referred to and which has advantageous transfer functions only when used in connection therewith; and the provision of apparatus of the class described which is simple in construction and 1n operation and which does v not require a large investment to be effectively distributed. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is I illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a filled, wholesale container, parts being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of pumping apparatus adapted to be used in connection with the container of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view gun and retail container;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section of the parts of Fig. 3 when assembled;

Fig. 5 is a perspective in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of an alternative form of outlet for the gun shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a complete vertical section of the wholesale container, pump and retail container assembled for transfer of lubricant from the former into the latter, and showing the wholesale container about half empty;

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on line 8 8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line' 9-9 of Fig. 8;

showing a greaseof a release plug shown Fig. 10 is a side of the apparatus;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing a washing attachment; and.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing a 5 filling attachment.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several Views of the drawings.

We have found it to be desirable to have (1) 10 the wholesale distribution of lubricants in authorized tamper-proof containers which are non-rellable, except at the source of supply and, (2) the facility for easy transfer of the lubricant from such container only to authorized cartridges 15 and grease guns or the like from which the lubricant is ultimately retailed, said cartridges being also non-rellable, except from said wholesale container. It is desirable that the tamper-proof and non-refillable characteristics of the containers be made an aid, rather than a hindrance to the activities of the retailer in distributing lubricant therefrom. It is furthermore desirable that the transfer of lubricant from the wholesale containers to the retail containers be effected with a minimum possibility of a'dulteration and inadvertent entry of foreign materials such as dirt,

grit and the like. The lling operation itself should be easily carried out per se, and only with the transfer apparatus that applies to the wholesale container, so that the retail container can only be filled with lubricant from the Wholesale container, whereby the Wholesaler may control the quality ofthe lubricant from the time it leaves the refinery until the time it reaches the ultimate customers.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at numeral I a sheet metal container of substantial gauge. The manner of filling this container will be described later. As indicated at numeral 3 in Fig. 1,the container is substantially full of lubricant, which may be liquid, semi-liquid, or semi-solid, and resting on the top of the lubricant 3 is a free piston 5 which has a sliding but not tight contact at I with the 45 side Walls of the container I, and which is provided at its center with a bushing 9 having an opening II therethrough surrounded by a flat raised and machined seat I3. The bushing is preferably pressed into the piston 5.

The container I carries a permanent top I 5 having a central opening into which is rolled and sealed a bushing I1. The bushings 9 and I1 carry threads I9 and 2I which respectively are of the same pitch. The threads 2| are adapted-to 55 view illustrating the operation design .dr'ic portion 39 a foot y only these pumps are be `threadably engaged by the head 2 3 of. a

closure-cap 25. The cap 25 has a wrench-engaging extensionV 21 carrying outside threads for engaging the threads I9 on the inner bushing 9. A light sheet metal seal 28 is pressed over and and cap 25, and between the flange l1 and the seal 28.

.In o rder to open the drum or container I1. the seal 28 is broken and the cap 25revolved by applying a tool to the wrench-engaging interior thereof shown at numeral 21. The removal of the cap 25 unthreads it from the bushing. I1 and from the bushing 9. This presents an opening through the bushing I1 for threadably applying the pump assembly (shown in Fig. 2) to the threads of the bushing 9.

'..The pump assembly as shown at Fig. 2 comprises a tubular cylinder 33 carrying a threaded bushing 35 at the lower end. The threads of the bushing 35 cooperate with those of said bushlng 9 of the floating pistons 5. The bushing 35 is .affixed to the cylinder 33 and has an enlarged cylindric chamber 39 therein at the end of which isa spring retainer 4| for retaining in the cylinvalve .43 (Fig. 7). The valve 43 comprises a at central portion for seatin g on'the seat I3 -and has upstanding spaced legs .45 which limit the. opening movement of the valve by contact with a shoulder 41 and lwhich are flared as shown at 49v to limit the downward movement ofthe valve by contact with the retainer 4| when the bushing 35 is unscrewed from the bushing 9.. This form of .valve constitutes an advantageous feature of the inventionbecause, when the pump is removed from thewholesale container, one seating element of the` valve is removed and itv is only this form of element that will properly make a seal on the seat I3. This means that only the particular of valve is useful with the bushing 9 and since this valve is special in the pumps furnished,

useful.

Slidably carried on the outside of the cylinder 33 is a guide bushing 5| which is threaded into the bushing I1 to form a guide for sliding movement of the cylinder therethrough after the lower bushing 35 has been threaded into the piston bushing 9. Thus the pump cylinder 33 may descend with the follower .piston ,5 as lubricant is withdrawn fromv the container I, as sugvis a reduced portion gested in Fig. 7. Enough air leaks in between the cylinder 33 and bushing 5| to provide atmospheric pressure on the follower 5.

In order that the threading operation between bushings 35 and 9 may be carried on in the filled condition of the container as shown in Fig. 1, an ear 53 is struck up from the follower 5 and is adapted to cooperate with an ear 55 struck down from the top l5. Also, an ear-.51 as struck down from the follower 5 is adapted to cooperate with an ear 59 struck up from the bottom of the container I when the follower the container has been emptied. Thus the ears 55 and 53 permit positive initial application of the cylinder to the follower and the ears 51 and 59 permit positive ultimate removal thereof.

Within the cylinder 33 is a piston rod 6| which passes outwardly through a stuflng gland 55- in a head 53. At the lower end of the rod 8| 61 carrying a valve .seat 69 with which cooperates a corresponding seat 1I has descended and tridge is threaded thereto, the piston in a loose piston 13. The loose piston 13 can move from the position shown in Fig. 'l downwardly to a position wherein the seats 69 and 1I contact. Packing 15 prevents leakage around the piston. The piston 13 is hollow permitting flow of lubricant therethrough upon the down-v ward stroke of the piston rod 6|. Upon the upward stroke, the piston seats on the member 69 so as to seal off the lubricant which upon the down-stroke. has passed to a. position above the piston.

The piston rod 6I is reciprocated by means of an oscillating handle 11 pivoted to a link 19, the latter in turn being pivoted to said head 63.

' From the above it will be seen that by oscillating the handle 11, lubricant may be withdrawn -from below the follower 5 and forced through the cylinder 33 to an outlet 8| in the head 63. The outlet 8| has threaded thereto an extension 83 which has formed therein a seat with which cooperates a ball check 81 normallypressed to the seat 85 by a spring 89. When pressed to its seat, the ball 81 contacts with the inner end 9| of a T-shaped member, the outer end 93 of which is thus normally pushed outwardly. Thus the outlet 8| is automatically shut when the pump is not connected with a cartridge to'be described. The T head 9| prevents the member 93 from being pushed entirely out when the ball 81 seats. The mer'nber 93, as ,shown in Fig. 8, is not round but nat, so that when the ball check valve 81 is open, lubricant may flow out around the member 93.

Around the extension 83 is a coupling nut 95 within which is carried a packing 91. The coupling nut 95 is adapted to threadably cooperate with the outlet 99 of a cylindric retailing container or cartridge |0| which forms an attachment for the grease gun illustrated in Fig. 3. The outlet 99 is adapted to thread, either with said coupler 95 of the pump, or with 4the inlet bushing |03 of a gun head |05 having a pump mechanism |01 and a coupler outlet |09 whereby lubricant may be withdrawn from the cartridge |0| and compressed from the coupler outlet |09. In this connection it may be noted that the coupler outlet |09 may be removed and an extension I, shown in Fig. 6, applied. Other types of extensions may also be used. It will be understood that only one or at most, a few pumps |05 are required, for which an assortment of outlets |09, or the like are carried, and an assortment of cartridges |0|. The cartridges |0| are filled from their respective wholesale containers in the manner herein described and may be selectively applied to the pumps |05 so that various lubricants may be retailed for various purposes direct to the bearings of the motor cars or the like of the ul- Itimate purchasers ofthe lubricant.

As shown in Fig. 1, the cartridge |0| has an internal, rolled flange ||3 which forms a limiting stop for a follower piston II5. The piston I5 is normally forced inwardly into the cartridge |0| by a spring ||1 which reacts in an enclosed head ||9 forced into permanent position on the cartridge |0|. The head I|9 is not removable from the cartridge so that the spring ||1 and piston ||5 can never be reached by the retailer. During operation of the pump |05, while the car- I5 under pressure of the spring ||1 functions to maintain the retail supply of lubricant in the cartridge |0| under a super-atmospheric pressure so as to maintain the prime of the pump gun this time, a bushing 2 (Figs. 4 and 5) having a stem 4 and permanently positioned in the inlet |03 maintains the outlet check valve |2| open, the latter being located in the outlet of the car- The bushing 2 has holes 6 therein permitting flow therethrough when the cartridge |0| is attached to the pump gun |05.

|2| automatically opens when the cartridge and gun are assembled (Fig. 4) and automatically closes when they are separated (Fig. 3). After the contents of the cartridge |0| have been completely ejected by the pump 05, the piston ||5 is adjacent to the head 99. l l

In order to ll the cartridge |0|, the threaded forced back into the outlet 8|, thus unseating the ball check valve 81. Thus, when the cartridge |0| is fastened at the outlet member 83, valve 81 automatically opens.

Then, as shown in Fig. 10, the operator grasps with one hand the cartridge |0| which functions as a handle and oscillates the lever 11 with his other hand, thus pumping lubricant from beneath the follower 5, through the cylinder 33, through the outlet 8| and open check valve 81 to the cartridge |0|. The lubricant under pressure, automatically opens the check valve |2| in the cartridge |0| and flows against the piston H5, displacing the same toward the head ||9 and at the same time storing energy in the spring ||1. The final filled position of the piston ||5 in the cartridge |0| is that shown in Fig. 7.

It will be seen from Fig. 10 that the forcing stroke of the handle 11 is a downward one so that the pressure exerted by the operator on the follower 5 aids the atmospheric pressure thereon to prime lubricant into the cylinder 33. On the suction stroke, when the handle 11 is pulled up, the other hand on the cartridge |0| may be used to react downwardly to prevent lifting up of the drum This reaction is not high because it amounts only to the frictional force required t0 drive the piston 13 and associated parts through the lubricant in cylinder 33 plus the friction of the rod 6|, minus the force of gravity on the apparatus as a` whole.

After the cartridge 0| has been filled, as will be known by the increased resistance to pumping, it may be unscrewed. The flange 8 of outlet 99 leaves contact with the member 93 so that the outlet check valve 81 automatically closes. At the same time, or theretofore, the outlet check valve |2| in the cartridge 0| also automatically closes. The cartridge |0| is then uncoupled and applied to the pump |05, as described. The pump |05, carrying the cartridge |0| is then used to deliver the lubricant to suitable lubricant-receiving fittings or the like in communication with the bearings to be lubricated.

After the lubricant below the follower 5 has been exhausted, by repeated fillings of cartridges l0 the pump cylinder 33 may have its'` bushing 35 unscrewed from the bushing 9 and the guide bushing 5| is unthreaded from the bushing l1. The cap 25 is then reapplied to the container and it is shipped back to the wholesaler for a relling, while the retailer applies the pump cylinder 33 to another wholesale container which he has available. The wholesaler, having the container returned proceeds as follows:

A guide tube |3| (Fig. 11) having a coupling |33 for application to an inlet conduit |35 is screwed into the bushing 9. A pressure nozzle |31 on the end of the conduit |35 is passed through the guide tube |3| and through the hole in the bushing 9. At its lower end the pressure nozzle |31 is provided with jets |39 and an open end |4|. An opening is formed in the container by pushing out of position a plug |43. This plug is renewable only by special rolling tools, and therefore is not useful to the retailer for unauthorized refilling purposes.

The coupling 33 is detachable so that the guide 3| may be screwed to the bushing 9 before application of the pressurenozzle |31. The nozzle ls then inserted into the tube 3| and the latter attached to the conduit |35. The relationship between the length of a tube |3| and pressure nozzle |31 is such that the follower 5 is raised when the said assembly is made. thereby held in n upward position while steam jets |39 against the inside walls of the container. Drainage takes place through the hole left by removal of the plug |43,

When the washing operation has been completed,ythe coupling |33 is broken, and the conduit |35 with the nozzle |31 lifted, after which the guide tube |3| is disconnected from the bushmg 9. Final drainage of the washing fluid is completed and thereafter a new plug |43 is pressed and/or rolled linto position. v i

After drying, and as shown in Fig. 12, a lubricant filler is applied. This comprises another guide tube |45 having a detachable coupling means |41 with a lubricant conduit |49. The conduit |49 carries a lubricant filling nozzle |5| through which passes a stem |53 normally biased downwardly by a spring |55 and adapted to be drawn upwardly through stufiing gland |51 by means of a rocker handle |59. The stem |53 carries at its lower end a closure member |6| for supporting a packing B3 which engages said seat I3 in the bushing 9. which cooperates with a valve |61 on the lower end of the stem |53. The nozzle |65 also confines the packing |63.

A filling operation is screwing the lower end of the bushing 9;

accomplished by first the guide tube |45 into then inserting the nozzle |5| through the guide tube so that the outlet |65 is positioned in the hole of bushing 9. The coupling |41 is then made fast, thus clamping gasket |63 against seat I3 and the valve |61 opened, whereupon lubricant flows in from the conduit |49, through the nozzle |5|, open valve |61, outlet |65, bushing 9, to a point beneath the piston 5. As the lubricant flows in, the piston rises until it reaches its uppermost position shown in Fig. 1. The tube |45 is then disconnected at the coupling |41, the nozzle 5| removed, and then the tube |45 is unscrewed from the bushing 9 and the cover and seal applied as shown in Fig. l. Air escapes from above the piston 5 between the guide tube |45 and bushing |46.

Among the advantages of the invention are the following:

1. The lubricant is never exposed to contamination from the time it leaves the wholesaler until the time that it is positioned in the ultimate customers bearing.

2. Cooperating elements 43 and I3 of the valve in the bushing 35 of the pump are separated when the pump is disconnected from the wholesale container. Only the forms of cooperating valve It also carries a nozzle |65 parts designed for cooperative action will function properly, and therefore it is practically certain that the user of the pump will not use it for pumping other lubricants from other sources.

3. Without special tools, which only'the wholesaler has, it is impossible to refill the wholesale container with any prot to the one who would refill it.

4. Inasmuch as the cartridge Illl is designed particularly for connection with the specific pump herein described, it is, as a practical proposition, also difficult to refill it with other lubricants. This is because of the ball check valve l2 I, and the fact that the piston H5 cannot be removed rearwardly for filling in the lubricant by the use of a paddle. i

5. The outlet check valve on the pump prevents dispensing from the wholesale container to any other containers except the cartridges described herein.

6. The wholesale containers may beI used repeatedly and therefore the cost per unit of lubricant delivered is reduced tl a reasonable amount.

vso

l other '1. The authorized refilling of both the wholesale and retail containers is easily accomplished.

8. The retail cartridge and grease gun assembly are small and compact so that relatively inaccessible fittings may be reached for servicing.

9. The pump 33 cannot be operated for filling other unauthorized containers without excessive trouble.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In lubricating apparatus, a container for lubricants, a head on said container, a follower in said container between the lubricant and said head, a pump, said head having an opening for introduction of a portion of said pump into the container, means for detachably fastening said pump to said follower, said follower having an vopening whereby said lubricant may be withdrawn from beneath said follower and ejected from the container by operation of said pump,

I a valve in said pump adjacent the point of fastening to the follower, said valve being removable with the pump, and a seat in the follower adapted to cooperate with the valve-.when the pump is fastened to the follower.

2. In lubricating apparatus, a container for lubricants, a head on said container, a follower in the container, a cap, said head having a threaded opening for said cap, said follower having a threaded opening, said cap having threads of pitch to simultaneously thread into said opening in the head and into the opening in the follower when the latter is adjacent the head and the container is full.

3. In lubricating apparatus, a container for lubricants, a head on said container, a follower in said container between the lubricant :and said head, said head having an opening,y said follower also having an opening, a closure adapted at the same time to be attached to the opening in the head for purpose of closureI and to the follower to hold the same adjacent to the head, and means positively maintaining the follower against substantial rotation with respect to the head when in position adjacent said head.

4. In lubricating apparatus, a container for lubricants, a head on said container, a follower in said container between the lubricant and said head, said head having an opening, said follower also having an opening, a closure adapted at the Sametime to be attached to the opening in the head for purpose' of closure and to the follower to hold the same adjacent to the head, means positively holding the follower against substantial rotation with respect to the head when in position adjacent said head, a bottom in said container, and means positively holding the follower against substantial rotation with respect to the bottom when in position adjacent said bottom.

5. In lubricating apparatus, a container for lubricants, a head on said container having an opening therein, a follower within said container between the lubricant and said head, said follower also having an opening therein in alignment with said opening in the head, a suction pump adapted to be introduced through said opening in the head, fastening means on said suction pump for effecting a detachable connection with said follower, said pump having an outlet, said pump comprising a cylinder, a foot valve, an outlet valve, a valved piston permitting ow only from the foot valve to said outlet valve, and an operating linkage adapted to apply mechanical pressure to the follower to compress the lubricant upon driving a charge ahead of the piston while sucking in a charge beneath the piston.

6. In lubricating apparatus, a container for lubricants, a head on said container having an opening therein, a follower within said container between the lubricant and said head, said follower also having an opening therein in alignment with said opening in the head, a suction pump adapted to be introduced through said opening in the head, fastening means at the base of said suction pump for effecting a said follower, a vertically oscillable handle actuating the pump, said pump having an outlet, said pump comprising a cylinder, a foot valve therein, a valved piston adapted upon rising to pass lubricant only from the foot valve to the outlet and upon descending to pass through lubricant' above the foot valve, a linkage connecting said handle and valved piston arranged so that a downward pressure on the handle drives up the piston and applies normal pressure to the follower.

7. In lubricating apparatus, a container, a pump, a member associated with said container and having an opening for withdrawal of lubricant, means on said member adjacent said opening for detachably fastening said pump, an intake valve member in said pump adjacent its point of fastening with said member, and a valve seat on said member cooperating with said valve. member when the pump is attached, the valve member and seat separating when the pump is detached, and means associated with the pump for retaining said valve member upon detachment.

8. In lubricating apparatus, a container for lubricants, a head on said container, a follower in the container, a ca said head having a threaded opening for said cap and said follower having a threaded opening, the threads in the detachable connection with headbeing of larger diameter than the threads 9. In lubricating apparatus, a container for lubricants, a head on said container, a follower in the container, a cap, said .head having a' threaded opening for said cap, said follower having a threaded opening, said cap having threads of pitch to simultaneously thread into said opening in the head and into the opening in the follower when the latter is adjacent the head and the container is full, and means preventing relative rotation of the follower with respect to said head when the cap is threaded with respect thereto.

10. In lubricating apparatus, a container for lubricants, a head on said container having an opening therethrough, a,follower in said container movable from end to end of the container, a pump adapted to be introduced through said opening and detachablyy fastened to said follower 4by rotative movement, a bottom in said container, and means for holding the follower relatively to the container when adjacent either the head or the bottom, whereby said pump may be attached or `detached to the follower by relative rotation when the follower is at either end of the container.

11. In lubricating apparatus, a, container for lubricant, a follower on the lubricant, said follower having an opening, a pump attached to the follower and communicating with said opening, valve means associated with said pump, said pump withdrawing lubricant from said follower and delivering it exteriorly of the container, the valve means being arranged so that the delivery and priming strokes of said pump are contemporaneous, actuating means for the pump adapted upon actuation to eiect a delivery stroke to apply manual pressure to the follower whereby delivery pressure may be engendered to overcome exterior resistance and to effect a pump priming pressure greater than atmospheric.

FRANK S. BARKS. ALEXANDER P. FOX. 

